TEXAS ROADS (A Miller's Creek Novel Book 1) (17 page)

“Glad you enjoyed it. I guess your work will be bringing you back here from time to time.” Her aunt sipped her sweet iced tea.

“Yes, in fact, I need to talk with my client about leasing an office in one of the buildings downtown.”

Dani struggled to keep the smirk off her face at Andy’s sly hint. Her smile disappeared as quickly as it had come. How could they handle private business in a town with such nosy people? She lifted her head to find Steve staring at her, his eyebrows joined in the middle.

Mama Beth’s chair scraped against the hardwood floors as she scooted her chair from the table and grabbed Andy’s plate. “Well, if you ever need a place to stay, you’re always welcome at Mama Beth’s Bed and Breakfast.”

Andy gave a good-natured laugh. “I may have to take you up on that.” He stood and shifted to the window. “Mind if I look around your garden?”

She jumped at the chance to speak with Andy alone and vaulted to her feet. “I’ll show Mr. Tyler around if you’d like me to.” The words tumbled from her mouth.

“That’s very thoughtful of you, sweetie. Steve can help me clean up.”

The glare on Steve’s face propelled paranoia through her insides. Was he just being his usual moody self, or was his behavior based on suspicion?

Chapter Eighteen

E
lbows propped on the kitchen table, Dani rested her head in her hands and waited for the caffeine from her third cup of coffee to kick in. A yawn crept out. How had she maneuvered herself into this mess? She’d labored on a to-do list until the wee hours of the morning. Now it lay hidden beneath her pillow with no way to make it happen, at least not without arousing suspicion. How could she steal away from Mama Beth long enough to phone Andy?

Her aunt wandered in from the living room. “You look bushed.”

“That bad, huh? I didn’t sleep well last night.” She sipped from her cup then grimaced—nothing like strong coffee to make your tongue grow fur.

Mama Beth pinned her with a quizzical look. “The Holy Grounds coffee klatch is meeting today. Want to come?”

She brightened. The opportunity she hoped for had just landed in her lap. “No thanks, I’ll hang here or get out and drive around Miller’s Creek.”

A half hour later her aunt left with a promise to return after lunch, so Dani dragged herself up the stairs for the list. The first order of business: to call Andy. She punched speed dial while she descended the stairs, then plunked the list down on the table and stared out the window at the drought-wilted flowers. Their drooping petals mirrored her energy level. Zapped.

“I was starting to think you weren’t going to call.” Andy’s cheery voice rang out on the other end.

If he knew how punchy she felt, he’d be a little more careful about irritating her frayed nerves with his over-exuberance. “Sorry. Lack of privacy is a bigger issue than I expected. How are the plans going on that end?”

“Great. We’ve received several applications, and I think I located an office space.”

“Good. Where?”

“Steve suggested an office at City Hall. There’s even an apartment on an upper floor that I can rent. A little antiquated, but it will do.”

She tensed. Wasn’t City Hall a little too…public? “I don’t think that’s such a good idea. We should find you a different building where I can come and go without Steve’s knowledge.”

“You don’t need to worry about Steve. Trust me. He’s completely focused on this project. Besides, it makes sense for me to be near his office for the application process.”

A niggle in her brain tapped out a warning, but she flicked it away. Andy was right. She was worrying for no reason.

He rattled on. “Before I forget, I located the owner of the property you’re interested in buying. A Mr. Bo Miller. Any kin to Steve?”

Her heart fluttered. The Millers? Would they approve of her plan for the land? “His dad, but I had no idea the property belonged to them.”

A buzz of voices filtered through the phone, and then Andy came back on the line. “Listen, can I call you back? I’ve got something I need to tend to here.”

“Sure.” The words were out of her mouth, and the conversation closed, before she realized her error. What if he called back while Mama Beth was home? Well, she couldn’t worry about it at the moment. There was too much to do. Dani checked her call to Andy off the list and studied item number two. She’d rather have her toenails removed with pliers. And no anesthetic. Howard Huff wouldn’t take kindly to her news, but she couldn’t let him stand in the way of her plans.

The current president of the company her father once owned wore his sneaky-snake reputation like the Congressional Medal of Honor, but the time had come to let him know who was boss. Dani eyed the clock and released a heavy breath. If she didn’t get a move on, there wouldn’t be enough time to visit Trish and big Bo before Mama Beth returned. Plus, she’d promised the old geezers she’d help clean out a couple of the buildings downtown, and she still needed to feed and bathe Little Bit. She pressed the phone key pad with a clenched jaw, while the furry kitten batted at her shoestring.

“Hampton Enterprises.”

“This is Dani Hampton-Davis. Mr. Huff, please.”

“Please hold.”

The canned music furthered her aggravation until she imagined Howard on the other end sweating bullets. She forced down a smirk. All work and no sleep made her snarly.

“Dani, how are you?” Howard’s syrupy-sweet voice oozed through the phone. “Haven’t seen you—”

“Since Richard’s funeral.” She sounded intentionally blunt, already tired of his phony baloney. “I wanted to let you know I’ve reached a decision on what we discussed earlier.”

“Yes.” He dragged the word out into three sticky syllables.

“I’ve decided not to sell the company.”

Silence, then his once-sugary words turned surly. “But we agreed. You have no desire to run the company.”

Fiery heat blazed through her. He’d picked the wrong day to argue. “You mean I
had
no desire to run the company—past tense. I’ve changed my mind.”

“I see.” He clipped the words then cleared his throat, his tone taking on a whine. “Can’t we work something out? I can—”

Her patience snapped. “I need a construction crew for an out-of-town site, and I need it by next week.”

He let out a disgusted snort. “That’s not possible. Our crews are booked for at least a month.”

The previous heat morphed to icy steel in her veins. “Then hire another crew. Of course I’ll do it myself if you’re not able to handle it.”

“I’ll take care of it. Just let me know the details.” The phone clicked in her ear.

A shuddering breath stooped her shoulders. Why had she lost her temper? Now Howard would be out for blood. She definitely smelled trouble, but it didn’t start with a T.

* * *

Half a million dollars? Steve snapped his head to attention and stared at his dad. Maybe he’d misunderstood.

On the terrace behind the main ranch house, Dad clunked down his cup on the teak table and repeated the information. “The man said he wanted the land on both sides of the creek, plus the train yard and depot, and he’d pay half a million dollars.”

What man, and why so much? He ran a hand across his mouth. “I have plans for that property. Did he leave his name?”

“I wrote it down somewhere. Want me to find it?”

Steve shook his head. “I’ll get it later.” He had too much to do to stay longer. He rose from the slatted chair and stretched, his muscles achy from lack of sleep.

“Sure is dry.” His father peered out at the fields where round bales of hay had been placed to provide food for the horses.

“And hot.” He sniffed the dusty air. Another scorcher on the way. The temperature was already in the eighties at seven in the morning with the two hottest months of the year still ahead. The grass had long since withered to a crunchy brown. They needed rain, and soon.

“So, people are on board with this foundation idea?” His father clasped his hands in front and leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees.

“Most of ‘em.” Otis Thacker’s grousing comments shoved their way into his mind, and he breathed out in exasperation. “I hate to cut this short, Dad, but I should probably head into town.”

His father sat back in the chair to peer up at him. “But you just got here. I hoped you’d stay long enough to chat a while and visit your mama.”

A lump of guilt clogged his throat. Not today. He couldn’t take her wordless blank stares anymore. With the toe of his boot, he kicked at a pebble. “Sorry, Dad, but I’ve got lots of work to do.”

His father pushed himself to a standing position, his eyes sad and droopy. “I understand.” They ambled toward Steve’s pickup, parked beneath a clump of live oaks. Dad reached over and patted his shoulder. “You’re doing a great job as mayor, Son. I’m proud of you.”

“Thanks, but I can’t take credit. I’m still dumbfounded at how it all happened.”

“Dani certainly seems impressed.”

He frowned. Dani? Impressed with him? Since when? “You’ve seen her?”

“She comes out to visit Trish and the kids and stops by from time to time. She’s real good with Evelyn.”

Dani had visited his parents? Emotions he couldn’t decipher stabbed at him. Anger? Guilt? Gratitude? He was so tired, he wasn’t sure how he felt.

They reached the truck. “Think I should accept the offer on the land?” His father’s low words interrupted his confused thoughts.

Steve paused beside the truck. The ranch had suffered a rough year financially, but should they sell land that had been in their family for over a hundred years? He massaged his neck and released a breath through his nose. How could he make these spur-of-the-moment decisions with no time to think? He gave a reluctant nod and climbed into the truck. “Half a million dollars is a lot of money. At that price, I don’t see how we can say no.”

Dad pushed the pickup door shut. “Okay. I’ll call the guy and tell him we’ll sell.”

On the ride into town, his mind churned with thoughts of Dani. The coffee he’d downed in place of breakfast curdled in his stomach, and a nasty taste made its way to his mouth. At last week’s lunch she seemed to have formed an instant connection with Tyler, and it bothered him to no end—like he’d missed something—like there was more to this story than Dani had mentioned.

Steve glanced at his watch. Work called, but it would have to wait until he put the pieces of this puzzle together. He steered a path toward Mama Beth’s house, and minutes later let himself in the front door and strode to the kitchen.

“Andy, no one else can know.” Dani started as he entered the room, her eyes and mouth widening. In less than a heartbeat her voice took on instant cheer. “Thanks for calling. Good to talk to you. Bye-bye.”

A stone of suspicion sank in his gut. What was between her and Andy that no one else could know? And why did he get the impression she’d known the man for longer than a few days?

“Hey, Steve.” Dani leaned down to pick up the kitten. Still unsteady on its feet, it’s white round tummy dragged the floor when it toddled around. She’d done a good job of caring for the cuddly critter. Holding Little Bit up to her face, she landed a smooch on the kitten’s pink nose. “There’s my cute baby. Come to Mama.” Her voice took on the sound of a mother crooning to a infant.

He scowled at the conflicting emotions rolling inside him. One minute she had him doubting her every move and the next admiring her mothering skills.

Dani turned toward him. “If you’re here to see Mama Beth, she’s at her Bible study.”

“Actually, I came for a cup of coffee. Mind if I pour myself a cup?”

She hesitated briefly then nodded. “Sure, go right ahead. Hope you like it chunky.”

“That strong, huh?” Steve sauntered to the coffee pot and filled his travel mug. Her expression told him she didn’t want him to stay, but why? Well, too bad. He was here for answers and answers he’d get. “I couldn’t help but hear you talking on the phone when I came in. Were you talking to Andy Tyler?”

Bright red blotches appeared on her cheeks. “Um, yeah.”

He pulled out a chair and sat across the table from her, his eyes glued to her face. “What is it that no one else can know?”

She swallowed. Hard. “Sorry, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I thought I heard you say that no one else could know.”

Dani tucked her top lip between her teeth, shifted her weight, and lowered her eyes. “I don’t remember.”

He scrutinized her face. She
did
remember, but she wasn’t going to share it with him. Maybe he’d have more success with a different tactic. He took a swig of coffee. “You two seemed to have hit it off pretty quickly.”

“I guess so.” She busied her hands playing with the kitten, who chewed on her pinkie finger. “This baby’s hungry again.” Without even a glance his direction, she rose to her feet and moved to the cabinets. A minute later she returned with a saucer of the pet formula and an eyedropper. Soon the kitten greedily sucked down several droppers full of liquid, her eyes closing in slumber.

Steve watched with interest as Dani gently brought the black and white fur ball to her chest and moved to the pet pillow in the corner of the dining room. Anyone with that much compassion couldn’t be planning something underhanded. Could she?

She returned to her seat, took a sip of coffee, and looked him straight in the eye. “Andy and I have a lot in common. We both grew up in Dallas. It’s only natural that I would hit it off with him, don’t you think?”

“Guess so.” Why did he feel so...disappointed? The answer hit him like a wrecking ball. He cared about her and had hoped that one day circumstances would allow them to move their relationship to a different level. The thought added another weight, and his shoulders slumped. “Well, I guess I’d better get going.” He pushed himself away from the table and stood.

She rose to her feet. “How are things going downtown?”

“Great. So fast I can barely keep up actually.”

“But that’s a good problem, right?” She seemed eager to know his answer.

He nodded. “Yeah, it is. I can always sleep after the renovation’s complete.”

Her musical laughter echoed off the walls as she escorted him to the front door. “I totally understand the lack of sleep thing.”

Steve took in the dark circles beneath her eyes. Why was she tired? Maybe it had to do with the kitten. He checked his watch, not wanting to leave, but knowing he had no choice. “Well, I’ll see you later.”